ugly modern boats

Very pretty hull, but he might have spent another half hour on the coachroof?
Ducks!!!!!!

Agreed, that is a hideous coach roof, it's just a block on top with block windows :( Definitely function over form. There are so many examples out there with sleek coach roofs and pretty windows that are in proportion.

As a long term SAAB enthusiast (not GM!) I find it interesting that the previously quoted attractive boats are Scandinavian. I am currently being hooked by the beautiful lines of a Folk Boat and wonder how long it will take for one to be hung next to the Saab already on display half way up the wall in The Science Museum. As an aside I was going to buy that very motor but pulled out to buy a SAAB 96 instead :( WOW did I have a shock when I noticed it in the museum - Graham if you are reading this you should have made me buy it and shame on you for selling it to a museum to be hung on the wall - it should be driven and enjoyed :rolleyes:)
 
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Agreed, that is a hideous coach roof, it's just a block on top with block windows :( Definitely function over form. There are so many examples out there with sleek coach roofs and pretty windows that are in proportion.)

I agree that it is functional but it is certainly not hideous (have you seen the current range of Beneteaus or the new fat Elans), it is very 'American'; I just don't think it matches the quality of the lines of the hull, but the forward facing window must be nice when you look forward from the chart table. However it matches the tradition of American east coast yacht design very well indeed
 
I agree that it is functional but it is certainly not hideous (have you seen the current range of Beneteaus or the new fat Elans), it is very 'American'; I just don't think it matches the quality of the lines of the hull, but the forward facing window must be nice when you look forward from the chart table. However it matches the tradition of American east coast yacht design very well indeed

I find design is right or not, for me there is no middle ground apart from quirky! Don't ask me to define quirky :confused:

I am a really relaxed fellow in most things but when it comes to poor design especially when it is not that hard to get something right I do get pretty frustrated. It's a good job we all like different things but I was very worried last week when my friend said he thought E-Type Jags were "hideous" :eek:
 
I love it when these threads degrade into just slagging off people that don't sail all the time, even in a F5-6 on the nose because "we did and we thoroughly enjoyed it".

In the last 4 months, SWMBO and I have sailed 775 miles (that's an average of 6.25 miles a day).

Does this make us good people or bad people?

We have done it in a 1983 Beneteau First 30E.

Does this make us good people or bad people?

We have motored for 27.7% of the time that we have been moving.

Does this make us good people or bad people?

But, more importantly, we have been living on the boat for 4 months (1 more to go). Meeting people, going to places we have never been to before, seeing things we have never seen before. Earning our daily crust (from the boat, using Wifi & 3G dongles) and generally chilling out in a way that it would appear many on this forum are unable to do if you take the high-octane, high blood pressure posts that a lot of you guys seem to make.

WTF does it matter if we're motoring sometimes when we could be sailing. Why is there such snobbery about it.

Mine's a **** AWB. I motor. Who cares. I can sail when I want to and I do.

<Sticky out tongue smiley>
 
Its great the way these threads celebrate the great British traditional boat building industry, it is so successful! Just compare it to the struggling French and German manufactures, who have got it sooooo wrong, havent they?:rolleyes:
 
Very pretty hull, but he might have spent another half hour on the coachroof?
Ducks!!!!!!

You maybe know this, but the original - and current - American version has no coachroof:

26FRANCES_sailing.jpg


Gorgeous, but not exactly sybaritic luxury inside. I rather like the chunky design: I think it suits the hull. Others may not agree - that's fine with me!
 
I agree that it is functional but it is certainly not hideous (have you seen the current range of Beneteaus or the new fat Elans), it is very 'American'; I just don't think it matches the quality of the lines of the hull, but the forward facing window must be nice when you look forward from the chart table. However it matches the tradition of American east coast yacht design very well indeed

Chart table? What chart table?

But yes, the forward facing window is nice - and jolly practical as well, as it lets you check things on the foredeck easily. I think your last point hits the nail on the head - she's quite definitely an east design (there's more than a hint of Newfoundland working boat there too) and I'm a sucker for that style. As my bank account testifies!
 
It's a good job we all like different things but I was very worried last week when my friend said he thought E-Type Jags were "hideous" :eek:

The final ones were horrible, and even the early ones are unspeakably vulgar, in my book. The coupés are just about OK: the 2+2s should be rounded up and crushed for offences to aesthetics.
 
The Victoria 26, 30 and 34 are some of the finest looking boats going... Proper looking boats... The 34 is now at the top of my "Next Boat" list..

But this...

26FRANCES_sailing.jpg


Is not only ugly... but disfunctional... could you imagine a 6 hour beat to windward in a typical UK grey rainy day in that cockpit??

It would be torture... I mean they look uncomfortable in the picture fer chrissakes!
 
I love it when these threads degrade into just slagging off people that don't sail all the time, even in a F5-6 on the nose because "we did and we thoroughly enjoyed it".

In the last 4 months, SWMBO and I have sailed 775 miles (that's an average of 6.25 miles a day).

Does this make us good people or bad people?

We have done it in a 1983 Beneteau First 30E.

Does this make us good people or bad people?

We have motored for 27.7% of the time that we have been moving.

Does this make us good people or bad people?

But, more importantly, we have been living on the boat for 4 months (1 more to go). Meeting people, going to places we have never been to before, seeing things we have never seen before. Earning our daily crust (from the boat, using Wifi & 3G dongles) and generally chilling out in a way that it would appear many on this forum are unable to do if you take the high-octane, high blood pressure posts that a lot of you guys seem to make.

WTF does it matter if we're motoring sometimes when we could be sailing. Why is there such snobbery about it.

Mine's a **** AWB. I motor. Who cares. I can sail when I want to and I do.

<Sticky out tongue smiley>


What a nice refreshing change to the frustrated racer attitude!

I quite agree with you.

Thank-you for putting it so well.

Mike
 
It would be torture... I mean they look uncomfortable in the picture fer chrissakes!

It looks it from the way these people are sitting, but when you get yourself on the windard side, with plenty of heel, you can wedge yourself in nicely next to the tiller. You can sit (unlike many wheeled boats); your feet can reach bits of boat to support you, and the tiller is light. The only problem is catching the waves that disappear down your back, and the odd stream underneath your bottom.
 
The 'stylish' boats you mention are all Scandanavian but you could also have added some of the Dehlers. But there is a downside; (I sail a Finngulf) the volume is much less below as the hull is an awful lot slimmer, while our 33' boat can sleep 6, it would be quite a squeeze, we have to keep folding down the table leaves to get about. The max. beam, freeboard and coachroof width is selected for performance rather than comfort below. You do get a high aspect keel stepped rig and sparkling performance but I reckon a 34' Dufour or Beneteau has more space than the Finngulf 37.
It is a different story on deck and in the cockpit though, and once you get going, with fantastic comfort, speed and handleability so the choice depends on how much time you spend out on the water and how many you want to sleep.
Would not change her because I enjoy sailing her so much, though sometimes I still yearn for our old Sigma 38, on it we had a cabin for the dog, just as much speed in most conditions and a lot more money in the bank. Trading down on size without losing performance was expensive and once you have had a certain amount of space you tend to miss it more than I expected; perhaps we should have gone for a Moody?

I actually own a Dehler. One of the earlier vdS generation. I call her a cruiser but I know she's slicker than that. At 43', I've got the accommodation of a 36' Bavaria, except the saloon makes full use of the beam, but I know which boat I'd like to have to beat home in in a F7.

However, I would agree about the later ones having style too. Don't mean to be too disrespectful when I describe them as the poor man's X-Yacht, but I guess that's where they sit in the order of things.

I actually like the modern Dufour 34, she has a seriously slick hull, just poor detail and MFI furniture. If you decide to buy one and need somebody to take care of your Finngulf 33 for you please send me a PM.

I did a lot of RORC racing in Sigma 38s when I was younger. I sort of hush it up these days that I sailed in such a slow old crate but I certainly learnt to trust the Sigmas in heavy weather. These days it's almost cruel, when racing, to climb up on them and make them tack off.
 
Is not only ugly... but disfunctional... could you imagine a 6 hour beat to windward in a typical UK grey rainy day in that cockpit??

It would be torture... I mean they look uncomfortable in the picture fer chrissakes!

It was designed as a day boat with basic camping accommodation below decks. As far as I can see, the cockpit is about the same size as the Victoria/Frances 26, although perhaps a little less sheltered...
 
The final ones were horrible, and even the early ones are unspeakably vulgar, in my book. The coupés are just about OK: the 2+2s should be rounded up and crushed for offences to aesthetics.

Agreed about the 2+2 they have just put an extra block on the top for more headroom similar to some coachroofs ;)

I cannot find a decent picture so will use this video (Don't bother playing It folks), but this coach roof is perfect for me - no good if you want to stand up right but throw away function when form looks this good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7qBXsQmfV8&feature=related

Beautiful and far from the best picture!

1533.jpg
 
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